Brief Statement of Philosophy, Background and Experience
In the same way personal values define character, the work we accomplish in our personal and professional lives should be congruent with an ethical code: thoughtful, principled, and just. Service, the commitment to an ideal greater than self, is an integral component of distinguished and courageous leadership. I believe fair and mutually rewarding collaborations are an honorable pursuit, a blend of art and science calling for judicious and regular tending. The environment we foster provides the setting for all members of our global community to discover the universe, to recognize their potential and bring it to full realization.
Proven Abilities to Motivate and Lead Others
My enthusiasm for projects and what colleagues describe as my contagious optimistic energy help me build coalitions of people who work in pursuit of excellence. I have worked in all my professional appointments to initiate and build connections and bring people together. I have had many opportunities to shape agendas, and understand mechanics at every level of goal setting, implementation, conclusion, and evaluation. As a representative for institutions and for organizations, I lead by example and am successful in fostering bases of support, and in "teaching" the members of teams how institutions and organizations work, and about the local and global climates in which they exist. Colleagues have commented on the range and strengths of my skills in diplomacy. In my early years, I learned how to take criticism and incorporate the recommendations of others into my own work, and how to craft and give suggestions to others while remaining simultaneously true to the task at hand and attentive to human needs and concerns.
Educational Background and Experience
My formal degrees are in music; my background and experience as performer, professor, and administrator in the fine and performing arts, and in the humanities have provided me with an excellent personal and professional framework, a work ethic characterized by the pairing of high ideals with deep dedication.
Building Trust, Building Relationships, Building Community
A primary factor in building trust, building relationships, and building community deals with: bringing people together respectfully and mindfully-- opening and nurturing honest communication, and fostering the individual and the collective. I welcome opportunities to connect with people, to serve as ambassador and support vision, mission, and planning. I have sought opportunities for collaborative efforts to create and implement arts, cultural, and educational initiatives and partnerships.
Experience in International Education
As a chief academic officer at a college for women in the Middle East, I gained a new understanding of what it takes to be successful as a leader and partner in a diverse setting.
Conclusion
People have expressed their appreciation for my willingness to serve, and respect for my ability to smooth the way for others to formulate and formalize their gifts and ideas. Students and colleagues have honored me with awards for distinguished humanitarianism, and for outstanding teaching and advising. I am proud of my record as a catalyst, facilitator and bridge in helping people articulate and transport goals to culmination. I believe in taking the High Road, and doing everything possible to leave people and situations better than we find them.